The Next Level

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss a bizarre week where markets surge amid global chaos, Trump feuds with his own allies, and confusion over Iran keeps escalating. They also break down a blowout Democratic win, surging fundraising, and what it all signals for the midterms—plus a growing fight inside the party over Israel and its future direction.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and JVL cover a rough week for Trump, from failed talks with Iran that turned into a naval blockade, to strong signs of real cracks inside his coalition as allies and right-wing media begin to push back against his idiocy. They also talk about what Orbán’s defeat in Hungary means for Trump-style politics, and discuss the lightning-fast downfall of Eric Swalwell. Go to https://Leesa.com for 20% off select mattresses PLUS get an extra $50 off with promo code THENEXTLEVEL, exclusive for TNL fans. For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering $30 off your first box—PLUS free Croissants for life—when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL and start your subscription. Refresh your spring wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too!

JVL and Sarah discuss the failed ceasefire, Melania’s bizarre Epstein pre-denial, and the growing rift between Trump and "America First" heavyweights like Tucker, Megyn, Candace, and Alex Jones. Is this just another performative feud, or the start of something real? And as AI muddies reality itself, what happens when nobody believes anything anymore? Paid members of the Bulwark get exclusive access to the FULL episode on Apple Podcast, Substack or YouTube.

Sarah, Tim and JVL g to cover Trump's Iran ultimatum and other news. Make today a good day, and get yourself some Soul gummies. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL. Head to https://Greenchef.com/50nextlevel and use code 50nextlevel to get 50% off your first month, then 20% off for two months. Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free and to connect with top talent ready to help your business grow.

JVL and Sarah discuss Trump’s rambling, unfocused address that failed to clarify any of the war’s goals, even as evidence mounts that the situation is getting worse. They also talk about the Bondi firing, why it may have been timed to shift attention, and what it says about how this White House handles bad news. Plus: rising oil prices, market jitters, and new warning signs from voters who are starting to turn against Trump.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL get into the wild new scandal involving Kristi Noem’s husband—and why the story isn’t what people think it is. They also discuss Trump’s chaotic handling of the Iran conflict, the political fallout at home, and whether his support is starting to crack. Plus: Lindsey Graham’s surreal Disney detour, protests across the country, CPAC’s decline, and JD Vance’s latest reinvention. Head to https://Brodo.com/THENEXTLEVEL for 20% off your first subscription order and use code THENEXTLEVEL for an additional $10 off. JVL’s newsletter, The Triad, has been nominated for a Webby Award in the Best Email Newsletter: Business, News & Technology category. Even if you don’t read it regularly—like some best friends—you can vote to give our very own JVL the W. Every votes counts! Vote here for Best Email Newsletter: https://wbby.co/57608N

JVL and Bill Kristol—filling in for Sarah—discuss escalating Iran conflict, the risky push toward a wider war, and why the real damage may outlast the fighting. They also get into the global fallout—from threats to the petrodollar system to the collapse of U.S. alliances—and what a rushed exit might look like.

Tim Miller, JVL and Sam Stein (filling in for Sarah) discuss Trump’s shambolic approach to the Iran war—no clear objective, mixed signals, and rising economic fallout. As gas prices climb and markets wobble, they ask whether the political damage has already begun, even if the polls haven’t fully caught up. Plus: signs of a potential MAGA fracture, ICE at airports, a look inside the grift behind Project 2025, and a disturbing interview with Greg Bovino. Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. It’s time to turn those “What Ifs” into CHA CHING with Shopify today. Sign up for your one-dollar-per-month trial today at https://shopify.com/thenextlevel. Upgrade your sleep during Boll & Branch’s Annual Spring Event. Take off 20% sitewide plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code nextlevel.

Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, and JVL were live in Austin talking about Trump’s Iran war, the cascading economic fallout, and growing global instability. As gas prices spike and allies react, the conversation turns darker: how bad could this get—and what it says about America right now. Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to https://NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD. Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL for 30% off.

Paid members of The Bulwark can watch the FULL episode of The Secret Podcast. JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the Trump administration’s stumble into an Iranian conflict that betrays its "no more wars" promise. They analyze the sudden resignation of Joe Kent over foreign wars, Tulsi Gabbard’s surreal FBI testimony regarding Fulton County ballots, and the looming "bloodbath" within a fracturing Republican coalition. Pre-order Sarah’s book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September: https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/

Sarah Longwell and JVL talk about what happens if Trump doesn't TACO and pull the plug on the Iran war excursion after things go from messy to bad. Not great! Also: What happens if we know how to reform the system, but the system is so ossified that it can't be reformed? And are The People, in fact, the worst? Pre-order Sarah's book, How to Eat an Elephant, coming in September https://static.macmillan.com/static/smp/how-to-eat-an-elephant-9781250464170/

Sarah, Tim and JVL are going LIVE to talk about the escalating air war with Iran and the chaos and dishonesty of Trump’s shifting explanations for it. Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off your first box - PLUS free croissants for life - when you go to https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL to start your subscription today. Go to https://Leesa.com for an extra $50 off with promo code THENEXTLEVEL—exclusive for TNL fans. Go to https://Quince.com/thenextlevel for free shipping and 365-day returns.

JVL and Sarah Longwell discuss the chaotic firing of Kristi Noem after a disastrous hearing, the MAGA infighting that may have taken her down, and what it says about how Trump runs his administration. They also talk about the war with Iran—why the strategy looks confused, how Tehran may be playing the long game, and why the economic fallout is already hitting gas prices, supply chains, and the global economy.

Sarah Longwell, JVL, and Tim Miller are going live to talk about the shifting mood around the Iran strikes—how casualties could change the politics, whether 2026 is starting to feel like 2006, and if Trump’s “just do stuff” approach has hit a wall (with JD already hedging). Also: the latest Democratic freakout over Graham Platner’s campaign. Head to https://Greenchef.com/50nextlevel and use code 50nextlevel to get fifty percent off your first month, then twenty percent off for two months with free shipping. Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free. Get 15% off OneSkin with the code THENEXTLEVEL at https://www.oneskin.co/THENEXTLEVEL #oneskinpod

To get the full episode, become a paid member of the Bulwark on Substack, YouTube or Apple Podcasts. The U.S. government is ordering employees out of Israel and Iraq, the latest signal that war with Iran is approaching. Larry and David Ellison just bought Warner-Discovery and CNN. Sarah and JVL also talk about the new John Fetterman in Maine and the primary in Texas. As well as the Kansas law targeting trans people. Finally, they go deep on DHS, depraved indifference, and accountability. (See the piece JVL talks about here.) Bonus: Pinball discourse.

Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller, and JVL run through a packed episode: explosive new questions about the Epstein files and whether Trump’s DOJ is shielding him, the Supreme Court’s tariff ruling (and the three justices who would green-light almost anything), and what it means for the midterms. They also discuss Kristi Noem’s completely fabricated “cannibal” story, Laura Loomer pressuring Trump to go after Netflix, Make-a-Wish kid Kash Patel, and the messy Senate primary in Texas. Get 15% off your first order plus free shipping at https://BollAndBranch.com/nextlevel with code NEXTLEVEL. Right now, Soul is offering 30% off your entire order! Go to https://GetSoul.com and use the code THENEXTLEVEL.

JVL, Sarah Longwell, Tim Miller and Sam Stein team up, live in Minneapolis, to dish on how Donald Trump kicked off his new Board of Peace by threatening to go to war with Iran and why other countries are holding people accountable in Epstein-related cases while elites in the United States have dealt with few consequences. Plus, Bill Kristol crashes the party to sling some takes about the potential field of Democratic presidential candidates in 2028. Make laundry day the best day of the week! Get 20% off your entire order @LaundrySauce with code THENEXTLEVEL at https://laundrysauce.com/THENEXTLEVEL #laundrysaucepod To get 6 bottles of wine for $39.99, head to NakedWines.com/THENEXTLEVEL and use code THENEXTLEVEL for both the code AND PASSWORD. For a limited time, because you are a Next Level listener, you can get a Tovala smart oven for just $49, PLUS free shipping, when you order meals 6+ times. Just go to Tovala.com/NEXTLEVEL and use my code NEXTLEVEL.

Sarah and JVL discuss the Wall Street Journal exposé on Kristi Noem, Corey Lewandowski, and the internal fight over whether ICE raids should be loud and viral or quiet and deniable. They talk about why humiliation has become the price of loyalty in Trump World, why Biden is suddenly polling better than Trump on the economy, and what the backlash in Minneapolis tells us about how this moment could turn. To get access to the full episode, become a paid member of The Bulwark on Apple Podcasts, Substack or YouTube!

JVL, Sarah Longwell, and Tim Miller relish Trump’s losing streak—from +6 approval to –14—and why slipping GOP support could signal a Bush-style collapse. They also get into inflation backlash, the White House’s “Don’t Be a Panican” spin, and the early cracks forming inside MAGA. Is this the start of a 2006-level wave? Get $30 off your first box and free Croissants for life when you visit https://Wildgrain.com/THENEXTLEVEL. Get free shipping and 365 day returns with Quince at https://Quince.com/THENEXTLEVEL Visit https://Upwork.com right now and post your job for free!

Donald Trump posts an overtly racist video, Republicans briefly squirm, and the usual defenses start to crack. JVL and Sarah Longwell explain why this moment exposed GOP cowardice, how Trump’s vanity and distractions are starting to cost him politically, and what billionaire media self-destruction says about power, accountability, and the institutions being hollowed out. Paid members of The Bulwark get access to FULL episodes of Secret Podcast on Apple Podcasts, YouTube and Substack.